Manufacture and treatment of automobile brake bands, linings, straps, disks, clutch facings, and cones



Patented Mar. 17, 1931 warrenv STATES PATENT OFFICE AURIBORN L. HAG-ER AND LON S. HAGEB', OF NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE I MANUFACTURE AND TREATMENT or AUTOMOBILE"BiaAKn ANns, LININGS, s'rRArs,

' pIsKs, CLUTCH FACINGS, AND (JONES No Drawing.

Our invention relates to the method and means for treating fabric and similar mate rial for use primarily as brake bands, linings, straps, disks, clutch facings and cones and the like, and has in view particularly the use of these devices in automobiles,'vehicles and the like.

An object of the invention is to provide a method and means for treating the said brake bands, etc., with a material which will make findeither of two methods particularly suitable.

them impervious to moisture, will give them a lubricating character as well as greater adhesive effects on the surfaces to preventsqueaking and grabbing, with the result that there will be less wear on drums and disks,

and thus prolong their lives.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new solution or paste for treating materials which will protect the materials against heat and friction, and thus prevent loss of power when these materials are used as brake linings, brake drums or brake bands, or like uses.

Another object of the invention is to provide a solution with which to treat brake bands and the like which will render the said bands impervious to moisture.

Further objects and advantages of the in vention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Our invention is applicable to brake bands, linings, etc., which are woven or spun in the form of a fabric belt manufactured with iron wire threads, asbestos and cotton threads or the like, or to brake bands, linings, etc., which Application filed August '17, 1928. Serial No. 300,392.

Usually the amount of solution represents between and 3% of the total volume of material forming the brake band, lining, etc. This proportion may be increased for parts which are to be used with very heavy automobiles, or when the part is to be subjected to very heavy duty. We do not therefore, intend to limit the inventionto this particular proportion.

In applying the solution to the fabric we In the first of these methods wetreat the threads from which the fabric is to be woven with the material during the weaving process,that is, the threads of the fabric are thoroughly impregnated with the solution as they pass into the loom. The woven fabric is also subsequently treated both in side and outside with the improved solution. In applying the solution to the raw threadsas they enter the loom we either spray the solution upon the threads, or we deliver it to a brush from which it is applied directly .upon the threads before they undergo the weaving operation in the loom.

Another method for treating the fabric is to first weave the linings. band, etc., and then subject them to the solution. In this case the solution is applied by hydraulic pressure on the fabric, so that the solution may permeate and saturate the same until the threads or cords ofthe fabric are thoroughly covered with a film of the solution.

Any suitable means for applying the solution hydraulically to the woven fabric comes within the scope of our invention. hen-using this method the fabric is treated before the lining or fabric goes through the usual and customary toughening or pressing process.

e use the hydraulic method when treating fabrics known as soft linings since the solution will easily pass through and form a film around the cords of which the linings are woven. When linings are made with cot-' ton hard cord that is tightlyiwoven, it is difficult for the solution to penetrate the fabric; In treating this kind of fabric therefore we preferably use the first named method of spraying or brushing the threads with the solution before they pass into the loom.

When material has been treated with our solution containing graphite, white lead and creosote, the creosote is absorbed in the cotton material and the graphite and white lead form a solid matter in the fabric. When heated the graphite and white lead become a hardened base within the lining, which does not gradually work out of the finished product as is the case when graphite is mixed with such materials as oil, grease, starch, parafiin, gelatine or other similar materials. Since both the white lead and the graphite are insoluble in water, the treated fabric is impervious to moisture. It is likewise not injured by any temperatures to which it will be subjected in ordinary use. In fact, the mixture of graphiteand white lead becomes more hardened by contact with such temperatures as would burn outthe oil, grease, parstarch or gelatine from the lining.

When treating a fabric which has been cast or compressed such as certain types of brake bands, linings, straps, disks, clutch facings and cones, we use the following ingredients:

First, fine or coarse graphite,

Second, white lead, and

Third, alcohol. v

. We use the same proportions of graphite and white lead as need for 'thewoven or fabas types. In preparing the solution i this case we mix to ether denatured alcohol and white lead until they form 'a thin paste and then add the graphite. The solution is then raised with the raw materials from which the "parts-are to be molded. When so mixed and cast the graphite and white lead thoroughly permeatethe raw material and are ultimately distributed throughout the article. As soon as the brake band, lining, strap, etc., is molded, cast or compressed, the alcohol 'promptlyevaporates, leaving only'the graphite and white lead. When the brake band, lining, etc, has been molded, cast or compressed of material treated with this solution of graphite, white lead and alcohol, the resulting product is substantially the same as that described with respect to the woven product, and is particularly unsusceptible to heat, and is imperviousto moisture as well as having its wearing qualities very considerably increased.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in our device without departing from the spiritof the invention, and we,itherefore, do not limit ourselves to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification, but only asset forth in the appended claims.

Havingthus fully described our said invention, what We claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is 7 1. A brake lining, formed of fabric material impregnated with a solution 'ofg'raphite,

of white lead are used substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands at Nashville, Tennessee, this 24th day of July, A. D. nineteen hundred and twentyeig ht. V

AURBORN L. HAGER. LON S. HAGER. 

